Laundry compartmentalizing laundering device and method

ABSTRACT

The invention is a laundering device which includes two or more separately sealable units which can perform laundering functions at the same time. Each unit can have a door or drawer closure and at least one dispenser, drain, heating device, and agitator. The laundering device includes one or more dividers for creating the separately sealable units. The divider can have at least one dispenser, drain, heating device, and agitator. Examples of laundering functions include, but are not limited to, washing, steaming, dry cleaning, drying, fluffing, sanitizing, etc.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Provisional Application No.62929759, filed Nov. 1, 2019, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of laundering and drying devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laundering devices have been around for some time. The laundering deviceof the present invention improves upon the prior art by providing amachine capable of customizing individual loads of laundry for variouslaundering functions, including drying, and various load sizes, andthese different types of loads can proceed at the same time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a laundering device which includes two or moreseparately sealable units which can perform laundering functions at thesame time. Each unit can have a door or drawer closure and at least onedispenser, drain, heating device, and agitator. The laundering deviceincludes one or more dividers for creating the separately sealableunits. The divider can have at least one dispenser, drain, heatingdevice, and agitator. Examples of laundering functions include, but arenot limited to, washing, steaming, dry cleaning, drying, fluffing,sanitizing, etc.

In one embodiment, the invention is a laundering device comprising: atleast two units and at least one divider;

the at least one divider separating the at least two units intoindividually sealed compartments for performing laundering functions;

each unit having at least one dispenser, drain, heating device, andagitator.

Each unit of the laundering device can further comprise a door or drawerfor opening and closing the unit. The at least one divider can furthercomprise at least one dispenser, drain, heating device, and agitator.The laundering functions which can be performed by the laundering devicecan include at least one of the following: washing, steaming, drycleaning, drying, fluffing, and sanitizing.

In another embodiment, the laundry device comprises a washer and/ordryer with compartmentalized units comprised of the following : at leastone of compartments, multiple drawers, dividers, to allow individualsealed compartments for separating features in each individualcompartment, including at least one of the following: washing, steaming,dry cleaning, drying, fluffing, sanitizing, cold water, hot water, eachcompartment and/or divider may contain individual water, drain, heat,agitator, and all components needed for that individual compartmentand/or garment and/or type of garment and/or item.

The laundry device can additionally comprise a clothes scanner and/orsmart devices, and/or smart device compatibility, to give exactlaundering instructions to the machine to perform individual tasks ineach compartment. The laundry device can also have capabilities of awireless connection, such as Bluetooth® for receiving/scanninginformation and relaying laundering instructions. Additionally, thelaundry device can receive scanning information and other launderinginstructions via an app and be programmed via an app.

Each compartment of the laundering device can perform custom launderingcapabilities including but not limited to at least one of the following:type of laundry, load sizes, water temperature, cyclestrength/agitation, water and drain, steam, dry heat/air, dry cleanfeatures, etc. Further, water can enter each compartment separately &drain out of each compartment separately, per individual launderinginstructions. Each compartment and/or divider has tubes or hoses toallow water, cleaning solutions, softening solutions, etc. to enter andtubes or hoses for drainage.

The laundering device can have both dryer and washer features togetherin one unit or in linkable components. Additionally, the launderingdevice can have the ability to contain individual dry cleaning,steaming, and/or freshening features.

The laundering device can also have a programed & customizable touchscreen that allows you to customize individual loads within eachcompartment. Additionally, the laundering device can have at least onedispensary unit. A dispensary unit can be a dispensing compartment orunit for wet and dry cleaning solutions, stain treatment solutions,fabric softening solutions, etc. The dispensary unit can be acompartmentalizing dispensary unit.

The laundry device can have a scanner/reader, that automaticallyprocesses care instructions for individual garments or type of materialbeing laundered, and a smart screen for programming the launderingdevice (washer and/or dryer) to perform a function in one or morecompartments, drawers, and/or dividers, the function including at leastone of the following: washing, steaming, dry cleaning, drying, fluffing,sanitizing, fabric softening, water temperature, agitation speed, coldwater, hot water. Further, each compartment, drawer and/or divider maycontain individual water, drain, heat, agitator and all componentsneeded for laundering/drying in that individual compartment, drawer,user and/or for that garment and/or type of garment and/or item. Thecompartments or units can be used in a stackable configuration and/orside by side. Further, the garment dividers if present are usedstackable and/or side by side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the laundering deviceof the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of another embodiment of the launderingdevice of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of another embodiment of the launderingdevice of the invention;

FIG. 4a depicts one embodiment of a divider of the laundering device ofthe invention;

FIG. 4b depicts one embodiment of a smart screen of the launderingdevice of the invention;

FIG. 4c depicts one embodiment of a scanner of the laundering device ofthe invention; and

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a rear view of the laundering device ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Components and functions of exemplary devices and methods will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings. The following detaileddescription includes specific details in order to provide anunderstanding of exemplary laundering devices of the invention andmethods for using these devices. Reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration specific embodiments in which the laundering device and itscomponents may be implemented. These embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice thenovel products and methods, and it is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the teachings herein. Thefollowing detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or“an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

COMPONENTS IN THE FIGURES

Laundry Device 1

Clothes Scanner 3

Smart Screen 5

Compartments for solutions 7

Stackable Units 9

Dividers 11

Door Release Buttons 13

Individual Laundering capability 15

Adjustable Size Loads 17

Doors for Solutions Compartment 19

Doors for Units 21

Agitator 23

Heater 24

Drain(s) 25

Dispenser(s) 27

Hoses 29

Power plug 31

Power outlet 33

USB port(s) 35

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the laundering deviceof the invention. This embodiment can also be positioned horizontallyinstead of vertically as shown. Then, the dividers and units are usedside by side, instead of in a stackable formation as when the device ispositioned vertically, as shown.

The embodiment of the laundering device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has one ormore stackable units 9 with one or more stationary or releasable lockingdividers 11. Each of the stackable or side-by-side units 9 has doors ordrawers 10 to easily put garments into and out of the units 9. The units9 have door/drawer release buttons 13 to release doors or drawers 10.

Laundering device 1 has one or more compartments 7 for solutions to usein the laundering device. Non-limiting examples of solutions include wetand dry cleaning solutions, stain treatment solutions, fabric softeningsolutions, etc. These types of solutions can also be added directly tothe divider(s) 11, either in solution or pod form. The function(s) ofeach drawer or door enclosed unit can be programmed separately usingsmart screen 5 or more traditional laundering selection buttons, knobs,switches, etc. The smart screen 5 can make it easier to simultaneouslyprogram one or more dividers 11 for performing the same or differentfunctions in one or more drawer or door enclosed units 10. Optionalclothes scanner/reader 3 can automatically process care instructions forindividual garments or type of material being laundered. Thescanner/reader 3 can obtain care instruction information from a label onthe clothing or other material (draperies, towels, sheets, etc.) to belaundered or the scanner/reader 3 can scan the clothing or othermaterial to determine its composition and then provide care instructioninformation for the particular composition, e.g., wool, cotton, rayon,spandex, nylon, polyester, silk, etc. and combinations thereof.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of another embodiment of the launderingdevice of the invention. This embodiment can also be positionedhorizontally instead of vertically as shown. Then, the dividers andunits are used side by side, instead of in a stackable formation as whenthe device is positioned vertically, as shown. In FIG. 2, the launderingdevice 1 is shown separated into sections which have individuallaundering capability 15 to provide for adjustable size loads 17. Eachsection or unit 9 (as shown in other figures) can have its ownstationary or releasable lock-in divider 11.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of another embodiment of the launderingdevice of the invention. This embodiment can also be positionedhorizontally instead of vertically as shown. Then, the dividers andunits are used side by side, instead of in a stackable formation as whenthe device is positioned vertically, as shown. In FIG. 3, the launderingdevice 1 in this embodiment is only separated into two individualcompartments for laundering units 9, by lock-in divider 11. Each unit 9has its own divider 11 and sealable door or drawer 21 with door ordrawer pull. Also shown in FIG. 3 is drawer or door 19 for one of thelaundering solutions compartments 7.

FIG. 4a depicts one embodiment of a divider 11 of the laundering deviceof the invention. It can have an agitator 23 for stirring or moving(spinning) laundry items and/or water, solutions, etc. that are in aunit 9 of the laundry device 1. In some embodiments of the invention,the unit 9 can include a drum, not shown, for stirring or moving laundryitems and/or water, solutions, etc., in addition to or instead ofagitator 23. The laundering device 1 can also include a heater 24.Divider 11 can also include water and/or solutions dispenser(s) 27.Solutions can be brought to dispenser(s) 27 from one of the solutionscompartments 7 via tubes or pipes, not shown. Alternatively,dispenser(s) 27 can hold a solution and/or laundering pod in or on thedivider 11 for use in a unit 9 of the laundry device 1. In someembodiments of the invention, the unit 9 can include water and/orsolutions dispenser(s) which can bring water into the unit 9 and/orsolutions from one of the solutions compartments 7 via tubes or pipes,not shown. The water and/or solutions can be drained from a unit 9 ofthe laundry device 1 via drains 25 in divider 11, or drains, not shown,in unit 9 into one or more tubes or pipes (not shown). These tubes orpipes ultimately lead to a drainage hose shown in FIG. 5, so that thewater and/or solutions can be drained from the laundry device 1. Thedivider 11 can also include a heater or heating element 24. A heater orheating element can also be included in the inner walls of thelaundering device 1 which line each unit 9 that can be created byseparating the laundering device using one or more dividers 11.

FIG. 4b depicts one embodiment of a smart screen 5 of the launderingdevice of the invention. The smart screen 5 can display the variousfunctions of the laundering device which can be programmed for each unit9. For example, smart screen 5 can include a section to control thepower on/off for the laundering device 1 or each unit 9; this is shownin FIG. 4b as a “virtual” power button. It's virtual because it's not aphysical button, but a location on smart screen 5. FIG. 4b also shows a“virtual” pause/continue button for pausing one or more of the functionsof the laundering device 1 or each unit 9 so that laundry or solutionitems can be added or removed. Smart screen 5 can also display a clockor timer to show the length of time of a laundering cycle. Additionally,smart screen 5 can display information about which laundering functionis selected or currently occurring in each unit 9.

FIG. 4c depicts one embodiment of a scanner 3 of the laundering deviceof the invention. The scanner 3 can use conventional scanning technologysuch as that used to scan bar codes, etc. Optional clothesscanner/reader 3 can automatically processes care instructions forindividual garments or type of material being laundered. Thescanner/reader 3 can obtain care instruction information from a label onthe clothing or other material (draperies, towels, sheets, etc.) to belaundered or the scanner/reader 3 can scan the clothing or othermaterial to determine its composition and then provide care instructioninformation for the particular composition, e.g., wool, cotton, rayon,spandex, nylon, polyester, silk, etc. and combinations thereof.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a rear view of the laundering device 1of the invention. The laundering device 1 can have hoses 29 entering thedevice to bring in water and exiting the device to drain water,solutions, etc. The laundering device 1 can have different types ofpower sources, such as power plug 31, power outlet 33 and USB port(s)35. The USB port(s) 35 can also be used for charging other devices.

The invention is a laundering device which can perform variouslaundering functions, e.g., washing, steaming, dry cleaning, drying,stain treating, softening, fluffing, and sanitizing in one or moreseparately sealable components or units of the device. The launderingdevice can include various known or conventional parts of water washingmachines, dryers, steamers, combination water washing machines anddryers, stackable water washing machines and dryers, and dry cleaningunits, including those found in US patent and application nos. U.S. Pat.Nos. 9,121,125, 10,648,113B2, 9,732,457B2, 8,201,422B2, 10,011,934B2,6,978,556B1, 9,663,894B2, 10,648,113B2, 8,499,588B2, 6,673,121B2,9,957,653B2, 3,402,576A, 9,702,080B2, US20090211109A1, U.S. Pat. Nos.9,228,293B2, 9,284,679B2, 6,889,399B2, 6,904,703B2, and U.S. Pat. No.4,513,590A, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatthe present invention should not be limited to the described preferredembodiments. Rather, various changes and modifications can be madewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention.

All of the material in these patent application documents are subject tocopyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States andother countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent application documents, as itappears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laundering device comprising: at least twounits and at least one divider; the at least one divider separating theat least two units into individually sealed compartments for performinglaundering functions; each unit having at least one dispenser, drain,heating device, and agitator.
 2. The laundering device of claim 1,wherein each unit further comprises a door or drawer for opening andclosing the unit.
 3. The laundering device of claim 1, wherein the atleast one divider comprises at least one dispenser, drain, heatingdevice, and agitator.
 4. The laundering device of claim 1, wherein thelaundering functions include at least one of the following: washing,steaming, dry cleaning, drying, fluffing, and sanitizing.
 5. A washerand/or dryer with compartmentalized units comprised of the following: atleast one of compartments, multiple drawers, dividers, to allowindividual sealed compartments for separating features in eachindividual compartment, including at least one of the following:washing, steaming, dry cleaning, drying, fluffing, sanitizing, coldwater, hot water, each compartment and/or divider may contain individualwater, drain, heat, agitator, and all components needed for thatindividual compartment and/or garment and/or type of garment and/oritem.
 6. The washer and/or dryer of claim 5 additionally comprising aclothes scanner and/or smart devices and/or smart device compatibilityto give exact laundering instructions to machine to perform individualtasks in each compartment. Has capabilities of a wireless connection,such as Bluetooth® for receiving scanning information and otherlaundering instructions.
 7. The washer and/or dryer of claim 5, whereineach compartment performs custom laundering capabilities including butnot limited to at least one of the following: type of laundry, loadsizes, Water temp, cycle strength/agitation, water and drain, Steam, dryheat/air, dry clean features.
 8. The washer and/or dryer of claim 5,wherein water enters each compartment separately & drains out of eachcompartment separately, per individual laundering instructions. Eachcompartment and/or divider has tubes or hoses to allow water, cleaningsolutions, softening solutions, etc. to enter and tubes or hoses fordrainage.
 9. The washer and/or dryer of claim 5, additionally comprisingboth dryer and washer features together in one unit or in linkablecomponents.
 10. The washer and/or dryer of claim 5, additionallycomprising the ability to contain individual dry cleaning, steaming,and/or freshening features.
 11. The washer and/or dryer of claim 5,additionally comprising a programed & customizable touch screen thatallows you to customize individual loads with in each compartment 12.The washer and/or dryer of claim 5, additionally comprising of at leastone dispensary unit. A dispensing compartment or unit for wet and drycleaning solutions, stain treatment solutions, fabric softeningsolutions, etc.
 13. The washer and/or dryer of claim 5, additionallycomprising of at least one compartmentalizing dispensary unit.
 14. Thewasher and/or dryer of claim 5, additionally comprising a scanner/readerthat automatically processes care instructions for individual garmentsor type of material being laundered.
 15. The washer and/or dryer ofclaim 5, additionally comprising a smart screen for programming thelaundering device (washer and/or dryer) to perform a function in one ormore compartments, drawers, and/or dividers, the function including atleast one of the following: washing, steaming, dry cleaning, drying,fluffing, sanitizing, fabric softening, water temperature, agitationspeed, cold water, hot water, each compartment, drawer and/or dividermay contain individual water, drain, heat, and all components needed forthat individual compartment, drawer, user and/or garment and/or type ofgarment and/or item.
 16. The washer and/or dryer of claim 5, wherein themachine and/or garment dividers if present are used stackable and/orside by side.